Five reasons why your pre-loved gift is better-than-new
5th June 2022 - 2 min read
One of the reasons people are so hesitant to give pre-loved gifts is because they’re worried about being seen as ‘cheap’. There’s a real fear about being judged or rejected by their friends or family.
So I want to share 5 reasons why your pre-loved gift is NOT cheap:
1. The quality of a pre-loved gift can be better than a new one
Let’s assume you like nice things made from good quality materials. It’s a fact that nice quality things cost more than cheap things because they take more time to make and are generally made from better quality materials. When you, your friends and family share your nice things, you’re creating a gifting ecosystem of quality. The things last longer so they can be shared and experienced more often, by more people.
2. A pre-loved gift can be more valuable than a new gift
Two presents, one new and one pre-loved bought for the same price aren’t necessarily equal. Think of it this way: you can buy a nice, new pen of reasonable quality for $200 or you can buy a gorgeous, pre-loved, sterling silver Tiffany and Co. pen with very minimal use and wear for $200 (RRP $500). It will last much longer and be enjoyed and treasured more than the cheaper item. It may be gifted again several times during its lifetime.
3. Pre-loved gifts are always better for the environment
A pre-loved gift completely eliminates:
Mining, farming or production of raw materials
Carbon emissions from production
Carbon emissions during shipping
Waste from packaging
Shorter lifespan of cheaply made products
4. Pre-loved gifts can be more thoughtful
The switch from new to pre-loved gifting means you’re no longer pressured to buy from retailers who only sell a limited range of new stock. This opens up the possibilities to really think about what you’d like to give rather than being limited to choose from what a shop has chosen to stock or what you can find on any given day.
5. Pre-loved gifts can be unique, rare or out-of-production
Pre loved gifting means you have the option to choose a present that’s rare, possibly even something iconic that isn’t in production anymore. Often, subsequent generations of a product don’t have the same quality or features of an older generation and the older product might be coveted by aficionados (think retired LEGO sets, an iconic hiking backpack or a stunning, out-of-production pair of designer shoes).
It might take a little more planning but once you start to give pre-loved gifts, your options become limitless and you can be as creative as you like.
A cheap gift is a cheap gift, whether it’s new or pre-loved and the same goes for a more expensive gift. Once we get rid of the ‘cheap’ stigma, pre-loved gifting will be a normal option, available to everyone: a way of gifting that’s far better for our planet and our future.